Let's Encourage Diversity in the Tech Industry. Read about Women in Technology: The Challenge and the Responsibility.

Friday, July 1, 2016 9:31:10 AM

-----

Rate:

Is it almost reverse logic in some ways to call out ‘women in technology’ as an issue that needs addressing? Surely it should just be people in technology, some of whom are women, right? Speaking as a man married to a female professional software application developer who feels exactly this way, it’s kind of tough not to see women coder initiatives as sexist in their own right.

I put this question to a senior technical editor (male) colleague of mine who said, “Yes you’re right, in some ways it becomes a negative — but there is an imbalance in the industry and so its even worse if we don’t do it.”

There’s no invisible hand

Indeed, as tech analyst at Red Monk James Governor wrote this week, “Diversity in tech is an important issue that can’t be left to the ‘invisible hand’. We need to be visible, encouraging diversity, making welcoming spaces. At my events we always offer free tickets for underrepresented groups.”